If you’ve ever experienced pain from a chipped tooth, gum abscess, or crooked wisdom tooth, then you know that there is a great divide between a general tooth-related issue and a dental emergency.
However, the presence of pain doesn’t necessarily add up to an emergency.
Before making an appointment with a Newcastle dentist, consider the following:
– Are you suffering constant, nagging pain? Severe pain can be a key warning signal of a genuine dental emergency.
– Do you have a loose tooth? Have you had an accident and knocked loose one or more teeth? This is a dental emergency that should be seen to as soon as possible.
– Has a tooth come out? This is a definite emergency. If you respond quickly, the tooth may be saved in certain circumstances.
– Is there any infection? A major tooth infection can be very serious indeed.
– Is there any bleeding? This may also be a sign of a dental emergency that needs to be seen to asap.
When is it not necessary to call an emergency dentist?
It is also important is to eliminate scenarios that aren’t necessarily emergencies, such as:
– Chipped teeth: Chipped teeth become an emergency if they are particularly painful or if sharp fragments that can cause damage inside your mouth are present.
– Aching teeth: Toothache isn’t generally considered a dental emergency if not accompanied by complications like an abscess. An abscess is evident by the feeling of a lump on or around the gums, facial swelling, or, in severe circumstances, a severe fever.
– Loss of a filling or crown: It can be embarrassing but is not generally considered a dental emergency.
What should I do in the event of a dental emergency?
Once you have established that you are experiencing a dental emergency, you must act quickly as most emergencies are time-sensitive.
There are a number of things you can do, however, to aid your dentist in providing the optimal treatment of your situation.
– A knocked-out tooth: It is imperative that you act quickly. Rinse the tooth gently. Reinsert the tooth in the socket if you can. If not, place it in a dish containing milk; this may help to save your tooth. Take the tooth to your dentist (if you respond quickly enough, there’s a good chance the tooth can be retained).
– Chipped teeth: Rinse out your mouth with salted water, and ice your face to aid with swelling. Go to your dentist as soon as possible.
– Abscesses: Wash out your mouth with mildly salted water several times and get to your dental professional.
Should I go to the dentist or the hospital?
In most cases, your dentist should be contacted first to enquire about emergency hours.
In the event of a dislocated or fractured jaw and/or serious lacerations, attend the hospital as soon as possible.
In the event that you do attend the hospital, it is prudent to see your dentist as soon as possible afterwards. The hospital will provide you with excellent care, but teeth require specialized care only administered by dental professionals.
Assessing a potential dental emergency and sourcing the best available dental care is essential for the longevity of your teeth.
Emergencies do happen. Our dentists in Newcastle at Live Life Smiling care about your dental health and are available to assist you with your dental problems. Contact us today if you have an urgent dental issue that needs quick attention.
